Saturday, October 31, 2015

This is Day 30 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group. Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here.
Today's word is #1 of the Top Five from the Reader's Choice words; and, what a FUN word {I think!} ...

BACON

That's right!! Bacon...When I saw this word on Kate's post...I laughed! Literally laughed! I do think it is a FUN word to "almost" end our month.So, whatever do I write about BACON?!Well, I do love to eat bacon; a good BLT or grilled cheese with bacon, or even a bacon cheeseburger or...just crispy fried bacon with breakfast any time of the day!We've been writing so hard these past 29 days; it's great to have such a fun word to easily write about - or is it easy to write about?I felt so silly when I read the word Bacon, I have decided to use the words from the FMF "free writes" and share this bit of "whatever"...maybe a bit of whimsy or comical relief ?!So, here goes! Hope you enjoy:Perhaps it isn't that easy to write about this word Bacon? I thought I'd have a hard time with Green. I tried to Capture my Callingwhile writing this series. I made sure to Embrace my Family and the Home we share; and to remember the Possible Love of Purple!I Trust(ed) I was Ready to Rest before the Storm came along and Crashed the Wave(s) into the Sea. I so wanted this series to be fun; and tried to have more Patience before I tried to Fly away...I had to Laugh at myself many times, wondering if it was really Worth all the Silence and Hope I had Whisper(ed), thinking about the TemporaryHonor it would bring to me.But, tonight as I finish writing today's post, I realize the Value of what I can Offer to you, my readers...With great Joy, I now present to you, on this Almost last day of our 31 day journey...

This is Day 29 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group. Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here. For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Today is Tuesday; and I am joining my friend, Karen Beth,for Tuesday @ Ten.This link-up, writing from a prompted word or phrase, is one of my fave...be sure to check out the others' posts, and link your own!Today's word is: PATIENCEA word that I have written about over and over and over...Something I have prayed for over and over and over again!Actually, I am a pretty patient person,Most of the time!The times that I have a worse time with patience are with my husband...A subject I have written about quite a lot on my blog; and one that I really am not an expert at. Don't ask me how to be patient with someone who has no idea how his behavior affects someone else, especially me...his wife and caregiver! I have a hard time with that.Patience? The definition of "patient" as an adjective is:"(a) a person who can wait for a long time/who remains calm/who doesn't lose his temper; (b) careful/painstaking."Actually reading this definition reminds me of my father. For years, his hobby was building small airplanes from kits.

My Father a few years

prior to having a stroke

After having a stroke, my father continued to work on his model airplanes with such patience......With the use of mostly one hand since the other one was crippled and in a brace!I was amazed at his skill at holding the airplane with his crippled hand so he could paint or glue it together!Now, I will say this - There were times when my father became very impatient; when my two brothers and I were growing up, he was a quiet, patient man...but had a few out-bursts when we were "out of control"!But, later, when building these model airplanes, especially after his stroke, he would get very impatient with himself and his inabilities to do things as he had once done...not often; but sometimes.More often he was a very patient man!I pray for that kind of patience! I pray almost every day for it...

Thank you, God, for the example of this wonderful, loving earthly father. My I learn the patience he had - before and after becoming ill. And, may I be more patient with the one who I become the most impatient with...

A few weeks ago, I expressed what {I feel} everyone else may have been feeling while trying to get through this 31-day challenge writing every single day!I said, "I sure hope I will be able to get all of these posts done before the 31st!"Of course, I took what I thought would be the "easy way out" in using the Five Minute Friday "free writes".It didn't work! Some days the words were hard to get my mind around; some days I just had so much other things going on, I wasn't sure if I'd finish at all...

No matter what life brings my way, I know my hope lies in my Father who reigns in Heaven; and I look to Him to show me the way out of my hopelessness.Listen to Aaron Shust sing "My Hope is in You"...

"The Lord delights in those who fear Him; who put their hope in His unfailing love." (Psalm 147:11)Let Him be your source of hope!

This is Day 28 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group. Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here. For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Just a few more days left for the "write31days" challenge...and yes, I am going to miss writing every day. But, of course, I will not quit writing...Perhaps... I will find another month-long challenge!And, with that being said {written}, today's word is: Perhaps!The "Webster's Student Dictionary" I keep near my computer defines "Perhaps" as...Simply: "possibly or maybe"...Actually, I like that word...PERHAPS!I use it a lot in my writing...leading the reader to reflect on what I have written and to share "possibilities" for where their reflections may lead.Even the Bible uses the word; and gives us an example of how the written word can lead us to reflect on other things:

So, reading this scripture can lead us to think and to reflect...God has created me for something; perhaps...possibly...maybe...It is what He has been leading me to all along!Or...I need to be diligent in what I am doing now because this is what His plans are for me!Wow!! See where this word can lead us?I'm not sure which version of the Bible this verse was taken from; and it may not use the word Perhaps in every version; but here it is found on this image, and fits perfectly in what I have been saying!I love this quote I also found on pinterest, a possibility of where we may find our strength:

Perhaps...you have your own uses for this word! Share them with me in the comments!

This is Day 27 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group. Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here. For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Just a few more posts and the "write31days" challenge for 2015 will be completed! Today, I am linking up with Peggy and the Simple Woman's Daybook for the last week of October.

FOR TODAY

October 26, 2015

Outside My Window: The weather is more spring-like than fall; yet, here in Florida, I guess they would be quite the same! The temp is probably mid-70's by now with the sun shining and a little breeze blowing through the trees outside my window.I am Hearing: News, news, news! Nothing "new" in the news; nothing "good" in the news!

I am Thinking About: Sorting out the contents of several bags full of scrapbook supplies and projects; preparing for {yet another!} retreat in a couple of weeks.I am Thankful for: The "free time" that I will have this week at home; time to be able to rest up for other events and occasions coming up later: Halloween; grandson's birthday; daughter's birthday; two retreats (one scrapbooking and another for Disciples' Women's Ministry; Thanksgiving...and so on and on!I am Praying for: Continuing to pray for our church and the process we are in to call an interim minister who will help us as we call a permanent senior minister.I am Wearing: My pink, white, fuschia flowered pj's - top to bottom! And my crocs {maybe someone will buy me a new pair for Christmas? Or, a pair of comfy slippers?}.

I am Creating: Working on 20 scrapbook layouts - all the same! - for a page swap with 19 others. At least the base of the pages are done!

I am Going: To stay home today! Catching up on chores and other things.I am Wondering: How long will the "peacefulness" last...only a few days ago it wasn't; but it's been good the past few days!I am Reading: Still struggling to read "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte...and also reading "When Your Loved One Has Dementia - A Simple guide for Caregivers" written by several authors; but endorsed by Peter V. Rabins and Nancy L. Mace, co-authors of "The 36-Hour Day" which has been a great source for me throughout the years.

I am Excited for: Halloween - so I can see my grandkids all dressed up! And, for my oldest grandson's 16th birthday dinner; also for Thanksgiving when we will all gather at my daughter's house; she has invited a good friend and her son to join us, and her friend's father will also come (they live out of town and come here to visit her husband's grave site at this time of the year).There are a lot of FUN times coming up within the next few weeks; and add Christmas to the mix...FUN FUN FUN!!I am Learning: More about Alzheimer's disease; at least, how I can deal with it better.

In My Kitchen: Small packages of "down to the bottom" chips; bagels; bread...all laying on the counter to be consumed at some point. I just don't have a lot of storage space for that kind of food - at least, not that I can reach!

I am Pondering: What scriptures to use for a Guest Post I'm in the process of drafting...A Fave Scripture Thought: My fave scripture would have to be 1 Corinthians 13, the "love chapter":

A Quote and a Blog Share: Today, I am sharing a quote from another blogger; Carol Bovee, who blogs at blessedbutstressed. Carol just lost her father, who was battling Alzheimer's disease. Her post for today October 26th, found here talks about finding a blessing...She says, "How do we find a blessing when our caregiving comes to an abrupt stop?" And answers that question in a beautiful post.Thank you, Carol, for sharing this beautiful post! Prayers for you and your family.And that ends this week's Simple Woman's Daybook...

What a wonderful quote to come across as I was searching for images! During times when I am not involved in writing on my blog every single day, I do write in my journal almost every day! And, I guess it would be considered talking to myself - whispering to myself!But, could it be that I am actually whispering to someone else? Perhaps...to God Himself?When I whisper, do you hear?

Do you quiet all around you and listen to my voice?When I pray, do you sit in quiet, in silence, so you can hear my whispers to You?Do you? Do you hear me when I whisper as I sit quietly listening for your whisper?Perhaps God also hears our whispers!

So, give it a try...Find a quiet place to sit; tune out the noises all around...And listen for the whispers of God!

This is Day 26 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group. Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here. For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

Then, I thought about how tired I was.My life today - now - is so much busier than "back then" when I was working a 40-hour week and trying to fit everything else into the rest of the time.Now...I "go go go" for as long as I can;Then, I have to take time to rest and catch up on just being "still"!Today is one of those days! I have been so busy the past few weeks; going from one thing to another in such a whirl-wind of activity that...I just didn't know which end was up!Eventually...I CRASH!In the past, that crash has been an illness; whether one that would put me in the hospital, or something as simple as a virus or bad allergy or sinus infection that had me down for a few days.Whatever it may have been, it gave me the opportunity to rest; to catch up on just "being" and get my strength back for whatever the next few weeks would bring.And, I'll continue to listen to my "body", because those are the indicators that I need to slow down and rest...I won't quit! I won't stop doing the things I love to do.I'll just continue to go until that time when I crash and then take the time to rest again; but I'll pay more attention to the indicators!

So, as long as I keep going - I "get back on that bike"... It won't matter that I crashed because I did get back up and keep going!My life will continue in this whirl-wind way...Because I love my life!

This is Day 25 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group. Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here. For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

As we move towards the last few days of this writing challenge, the words seem to blend together, making it a bit harder to write something "different"! But, I - we all - keep on writing!Today's word is:

Now, I am not an expert in the history behind the words...But, I do find it quite interesting that they contain the same letters!I think this is telling me that these two words go hand in hand:In order for us to be able to listen, there must be silence!Silence around us; silence within us!So, as I wait for the silence, I am reminded that:

And I know that, even if my prayers are not spoken out loud, God will hear the prayers of my heart, once I have silenced the "voices" and other distractions around me.I will end with this Cherokee Prayer:

This is Day 24 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group. Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here. For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.

In the midst of the "write31days" challenge, I am taking a "break" and joining Karen Bethfor Tuesday @ Ten.

Today's word is: COURAGECourage; being courageous...Being brave!If you have read even a few of the posts that are written for the 31 day challenge...And any other of the many posts shared on Facebook in some of the groups I follow...

You will see there are so many brave and courageous women "out there"...

These women open their hearts and share the very depths of their souls.

They write about abuse and hurt and love and loss and pain and joy and happiness and...

Well, you name it! You can find someone's post written on that emotion or situation. I am often surprised at how vulnerable a person's writing can be as they open up and share.The written words found on these posts - so heart-breaking and heart-warming and inspiring all at the same time!In just a few words, you can feel their hurt, their pain, their loss, their joy and happiness...sometimes all rolled up into one situation!

And, somehow I relate with these women; perhaps because I have shared so much of ME in my posts, as well! I write from the heart; and hope that what I share helps at least one person. If so, then I feel I've done what I set out to do...Encourage, inspire, build up another's self-esteem a bit!And, I know that whatever comes my way - whatever comes our way - ALL of us! - we know who will be with us on that journey!

Saturday, October 24, 2015

It's Thursday night, and time for Five Minute Friday! I am so happy I decided to follow Kate and the FMF "Free Writes" for the 31 Day challenge; and tonight we have another of the top 5 Reader's Choice words...

So, today's word is:

JOY!

Some days, the JOY is there; as I step out of bed to start the day, I feel rested and ready for whatever comes.

And then...The "whatever" comes...and snatches away my joy!

in a sharp tone - because he didn't hear me; or "thought" he heard something else - something that he perceives as negative or against whatever he thought the answer should have been.

in an ugly remark about...well, someone I love! - because it makes me angry for him to talk ugly against people I love; and I lash out with ugly remarks of my own.

in a non-conversation - because he doesn't listen to anything I have to say. Our "conversations" are usually all one-sided; him.

in a confrontation with a neighbor - because he "thought" they were being ugly to him; but it was, in fact, his being ugly to them! And, this time, I was present to see the confrontation; and to realize how right I was to "assume" this was the reason he always had negative things to say about many of the people he encounters when walking. He is not hearing what they are saying to him; therefore, he assumes it is negative...just as he does with me.

There are reasons for this behavior; I fear it is his dementia - the vascular dementia he was diagnosed with years ago, becoming worse and perhaps into something more...Alzheimer's disease.

These are just a few examples of ways "he" snatches away my JOY! These are examples of why I fear the unknown - the further diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

But...

Shouldn't I be in control of my own feelings? My own reactions and actions?

Am I not able to feel joy...be joyful?!

...in spite of how he treats me?

Well, I can't just ignore it! I can't "pretend" it doesn't hurt - because it does! Whenever I am home, and he's around, I stay busy; I am usually on the computer writing - or reading, lost in someone else's journey or story or even some inspirational post that touches just where it needs to touch!

I let him take his walks and wander the apartment complex, talking to people who are also out walking their dogs, or just walking. How does he react to their conversations? I wonder this all the time?!

I can write my heart out and tune out a lot...but when I get tired or just hurt from his words...it's hard to tune out; it's hard to ignore. It is just hard!

But...there is JOY in my life! And I seek it as often as I possibly can...

I "escape" as often as I can, and seek that JOY!

And I let the tears flow as I cry out to God in the night, as I lie in bed attempting to sleep...

This is Day 23 of "31 Days of Free Writes", linking up with Kate Motaung and the Five Minute Friday group. Check out all of my "Free Write" posts in this series here. For more information on the "Write31Days" challenge, click here.